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Experiences from my coastal Portugues Camino 2024 with my son

sommerjule

New Member
Hi everyone,
I went on a short coastal Camino Portugues in March with my 11 year old son and wanted to share some of my experiences here.

We walked a very small part of the Camino. We started March 13 in Póvoa de Varzim and finished in Vila Nova de Conde March 22. It was more to try out walking together than a „full“ pilgrimage.

We did short stages between 10-15 km daily, with some detours.
I booked all accommodation before, because when was walking last year on the Camino Central in April, the albergues and private places would fill up quickly and I wanted us to be able to take our time. None of the places we stayed at was full in March, while we were there this year. Still, I enjoyed the safety of the pre-booking.

Of all the accommodations, I can highly recommend CMB guesthouse in Apúlia. Very nice clean room, rooftop terrace, kitchen to use and with breakfast for 40 euros for two persons.
IMG_2743.jpeg

The week that we walked, the weather was great. My son really enjoyed the parts of the Camino along the beach and spent time playing on the beach, so we were really slow, which was fine. It is different than walking alone, of course, because I adapted to his rhythm of walking instead of at my own pace.
959C066E-196F-4668-8413-CA6C22ECD544.jpeg

On the warmer days (25degrees and more) my son would heat up really quickly. So it was good that we had not too many kilometers to walk and could take a lot of breaks.
IMG_2766.jpeg

The infrastructure is, as many here wrote before, really good. If there was no cafe, there was a supermarket where we could find food and cold drinks. the picture above is from the parking lot at the church at Castelo da Neiva, (the only place with shade). We did a short detour to a supermarket for emergency ice tea and crips ;-)

We both enjoyed the great Portuguese pastry at the many cafes along the way. And the friendliness of the Portuguese people. My son got to try out some of English that he learns at school.

Overall, walking together was a great experience and we might come back when he is a littler older and do the full way or the rest of the way that we did not walk this year.
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
What a great adventure to have created and shared with your young lad👍. Time well spent in making memories that will last, thank you for the recounting.
 
€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
Hi everyone,
I went on a short coastal Camino Portugues in March with my 11 year old son and wanted to share some of my experiences here.

We walked a very small part of the Camino. We started March 13 in Póvoa de Varzim and finished in Vila Nova de Conde March 22. It was more to try out walking together than a „full“ pilgrimage.

We did short stages between 10-15 km daily, with some detours.
I booked all accommodation before, because when was walking last year on the Camino Central in April, the albergues and private places would fill up quickly and I wanted us to be able to take our time. None of the places we stayed at was full in March, while we were there this year. Still, I enjoyed the safety of the pre-booking.

Of all the accommodations, I can highly recommend CMB guesthouse in Apúlia. Very nice clean room, rooftop terrace, kitchen to use and with breakfast for 40 euros for two persons.
View attachment 167849

The week that we walked, the weather was great. My son really enjoyed the parts of the Camino along the beach and spent time playing on the beach, so we were really slow, which was fine. It is different than walking alone, of course, because I adapted to his rhythm of walking instead of at my own pace.
View attachment 167848

On the warmer days (25degrees and more) my son would heat up really quickly. So it was good that we had not too many kilometers to walk and could take a lot of breaks.
View attachment 167850

The infrastructure is, as many here wrote before, really good. If there was no cafe, there was a supermarket where we could find food and cold drinks. the picture above is from the parking lot at the church at Castelo da Neiva, (the only place with shade). We did a short detour to a supermarket for emergency ice tea and crips ;-)

We both enjoyed the great Portuguese pastry at the many cafes along the way. And the friendliness of the Portuguese people. My son got to try out some of English that he learns at school.

Overall, walking together was a great experience and we might come back when he is a littler older and do the full way or the rest of the way that we did not walk this year.
Awww I LOVED reading this. I’m taking my 9yo daughter and hoping for some down time and reconnection and just being together. You are making me feel as though my shorter stages are the smart move! We each are bringing a journal to draw and write and packing picnic blanket (aka Turkish towel) for us to sit and ponder while we take walking breaks. Thanks for sharing.
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery
Awww I LOVED reading this. I’m taking my 9yo daughter and hoping for some down time and reconnection and just being together. You are making me feel as though my shorter stages are the smart move! We each are bringing a journal to draw and write and packing picnic blanket (aka Turkish towel) for us to sit and ponder while we take walking breaks. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks.
I think the journal is a great idea. My son would have loved to draw during the Camino but unfortunately he broke his wrist a week before we went on Camino.

I am sure you will have a great time together with your daughter. For me, at least, and for my son also, it was really good to have some „quieter“ time together , because we have a really busy family / work / school life at home.
 
Sounds like a great experience for both of you!
I read the post above of the father and son walking in small stages and would like to aim to do similar. I am 82 years young, challenged with severe health issues but determined as all hell! I have made it from Australia as far as Apulia cmb guesthouse alone where I have spent a week in this paradise to familiarise myself and just relax. My past history is two attempts at the St France’s route both times being forced to return to AU health wise, I have completed 600+ k. I am booked to return to AU July 14th so I have about 4 weeks to do my best in! ! I am confused by all the differing advice on line. It is my dream to experience the SPIRITUAL VARIANCE at least. Nothing more. I am a free spirit. Can you help me please with your hard earned wisdom and experience. I can walk 5k stages but could do more if pressed to. Obrigato.
 
I read the post above of the father and son walking in small stages and would like to aim to do similar. I am 82 years young, challenged with severe health issues but determined as all hell! I have made it from Australia as far as Apulia cmb guesthouse alone where I have spent a week in this paradise to familiarise myself and just relax. My past history is two attempts at the St France’s route both times being forced to return to AU health wise, I have completed 600+ k. I am booked to return to AU July 14th so I have about 4 weeks to do my best in! ! I am confused by all the differing advice on line. It is my dream to experience the SPIRITUAL VARIANCE at least. Nothing more. I am a free spirit. Can you help me please with your hard earned wisdom and experience. I can walk 5k stages but could do more if pressed to. Obrigato.
I would say to walk in short stages and do your best! Where are you starting from?
 
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
It is my dream to experience the SPIRITUAL VARIANCE at least. Nothing more. I am a free spirit. Can you help me please with your hard earned wisdom and experience. I can walk 5k stages but could do more if pressed to. Obrigato.
If you mean the Variante Espiritual of the Portuguese Way, here are some short stage ideas starting from Pontevedra:

- Poio 8.3km, accommodation at the monastery

- Combarro 3km, various accommodation options

- Taxi Combarro to Miradoiro do Loureiro (uphill walk), then walk to Armenteira 5.6km

- Ribadumia, off the camino, I’m not sure how far but @laurenligreci stayed here a few days ago. You might have to take taxis at some point here because there aren’t many places to stay between Armenteira and Vilanova de Arousa (24km).

- Vilanova de Arousa

- Boat to Pontecesures, 2km walk to Padrón

- Various options for short days from Padrón to Santiago
 
If you mean the Variante Espiritual of the Portuguese Way, here are some short stage ideas starting from Pontevedra:

- Poio 8.3km, accommodation at the monastery

- Combarro 3km, various accommodation options

- Taxi Combarro to Miradoiro do Loureiro (uphill walk), then walk to Armenteira 5.6km

- Ribadumia, off the camino, I’m not sure how far but @laurenligreci stayed here a few days ago. You might have to take taxis at some point here because there aren’t many places to stay between Armenteira and Vilanova de Arousa (24km).

- Vilanova de Arousa

- Boat to Pontecesures, 2km walk to Padrón

- Various options for short days from Padrón to Santiago
Many thanks for your valuable advice it is very reassuring.
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery
Awww I LOVED reading this. I’m taking my 9yo daughter and hoping for some down time and reconnection and just being together. You are making me feel as though my shorter stages are the smart move! We each are bringing a journal to draw and write and packing picnic blanket (aka Turkish towel) for us to sit and ponder while we take walking breaks. Thanks for sharing.
This sounds Fantastic! Your daughter will never forget it.
 

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